siren's eye Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 I'm trying to decide between the 80 watt orbit light and the 96 watt aquaclear for my 10 gallon. I like the looks of the orbit plus it has moonlights built in. But I like the aquaclear because of the wattage. I want to have a softies and LPS tank(mostly zoos and shrooms), maybe a few montis (I hear they can live with lower lighting)and a clam if possible(I don't think it is). can anyone tell me how much of a difference 16 watts can make?
Sara Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 I have an Orbit light on my 10g, and so far I really like it! I haven't put any corals into it yet though. I'm not sure how big of a difference 16 watts makes, sorry I couldn't help ya with that. Sara
rbaby Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 I'd rather get a 70w halide retrofit...lampdr is having a special, plug and play--comes with everything for $130 shipped...then just add like 2-3 T5's you can get from nanotuners and you'll be kosher.
calvin Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 retrofit only works if you have something to fit it into. This guys looking for a fixture. also, the t-5's from nanotuners I'm pretty sure are just NO. Don't waste your money on those. they're fine if you're trying to jam a little more light into a nanocube, but for you it doesn't make sense.
rbaby Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 You can build a 25 dolla canopy if you wanted...it's not that expensive...
ACBlinky Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 JMO, but I'd go with the Orbit (or a Satellite, they're almost exactly the same) over the Aqualight - AFAIK, the 96W bulbs are 'quads', which means you can't run your daylight and actinics separately. The Orbit has separate switches, allowing you to put each bulb on a separate timer for a 'dawn/dusk' effect. There are also separate switches for the fan and moonlight, not sure if the Aqualight has these or not. I'm using a Satellite 80W fixture over my 14g and it's great - I'm not planning on trying any of the really light-hungry corals, but I've been told 80W is just fine for softies, zoos and many LPS.
siren's eye Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Thanks guys for your help. I think I'll go with the orbit. It seems that it's benefits outweigh the 16 extra watts.
siren's eye Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Crapola!! I just looked at some pics in the gallery and orbits are HUGE on a ten gallon!! The light is like half the tanks height!. anyone have a slimmer suggestion?
lgreen Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 the satalite is much thinner. and cheaper too and you get the same thing. just get the 20" satallite 2x40w and a pair of legs. www.marinedepot.com
siren's eye Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Yeah I was on ebay a second ago and saw them. A satellite it is then!
vthondaboi Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Originally posted by lgreen good choice. coralife sucks. to each his own I had a Coralife 36" Aqualight Pro and loved it. Three switches for the MH/PC/moon lights and flexible mounting for my bowfront
gjones Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 I have a Satellite Dual 65watt with lunar light on my 29.gal, and it's really thin, 2.5 inches, and the legs hold it about 3in above my tank.
ACBlinky Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 The slim profile is the reason I chose a Satellite over an Orbit - the innards are identical, so you're getting the exact same light and it will look better on a small tank
siren's eye Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Does the satellite have one 2 or 3 switches on it? I want a light with 3 so I can do the 24 hour lighting.
lgreen Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 all lights are indepedent. 2 switches, and everything (including moonlight) is on its own powercord
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